Convertible furniture

ABSTRACT

The aspects of the disclosed embodiments relate to a convertible furniture, including
         at least a first and a second furniture part and thereto supported at least one bed and at least one table part; and   pivoting means including a hinge structure between the at least two furniture parts.       

     The pivoting means are arranged to guide the movement of the furniture part between at least
         a table position, where at least one table part is arranged horizontally, thereby forming a horizontal table surface, and the at least one bed is unusable; and   a bed position, where the at least one bed is usable, and the at least one table part is unusable,       

     The pivot point (P) of the hinge structure is arranged as a virtual pivot point outside the furniture parts. The disclosed embodiments also relates to a method using the furniture.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The aspects of the disclosed embodiments relate to a convertiblefurniture, i.e. a piece of furniture which can be changed into anotherpiece of furniture. The disclosed embodiments are especially related toa furniture which can be converted from a bed to a table and vice versa.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Patent publications US 60339 A, HU 195416 B, FR 1420300 A, US 277637 Aand U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,856 A show pieces of furniture that can bearranged either as a table or as a bed. The prior art solutions arecomplex and difficult to use.

OBJECT OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

It is an object of the present disclosure to reduce or even eliminatethe abovementioned problems appearing in prior art.

It is an object of the present disclosure to enable an easy and reliablemovement of furniture parts when converting the furniture from a bed toa table and vice versa.

SUMMARY

Among others, in order to realize the objects mentioned above, aconvertible furniture and other objects according to the disclosedembodiments are characterized by what is presented in the enclosedindependent claims. The dependent claims present some embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

The embodiments, examples and advantages mentioned in this text relate,where applicable, as well to convertible furniture or any methods whenusing it, as to any other aspect of the disclosed embodiments, eventhough it is not always specifically mentioned.

A convertible furniture according to the disclosed embodiments can beconverted between a table and a bed. A simple way to describe the basicidea of the disclosed embodiments is, that a convertible furniturecomprises

-   -   at least two, i.e. a first and a second furniture part. At least        one bed and at least one table part are supported onto the        furniture parts; and    -   pivoting means comprising a hinge structure between the at least        two furniture parts. The pivoting means may also comprise e.g.        rails and/or gas springs.        The pivoting means guide the movement of the furniture parts        between at least    -   a table position, where the at least one table part is arranged        horizontally, thereby forming a horizontal table surface, and        where the at least one bed is unusable; and    -   a bed position, where the at least one bed is usable, and the at        least one table part is unusable.

A pivot point of the hinge structure is arranged as a virtual pivotpoint outside the furniture parts.

One aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a method with the convertiblefurniture according to the disclosed embodiments. The method comprises

-   -   moving a first and a second furniture part between at least a        bed position and a table position, and supported to the        furniture parts at least one bed and at least one table part;    -   guiding said moving with pivoting means comprising a hinge        structure between the first furniture part and the second        furniture part;    -   arranging pivot point of the hinge structure as a virtual pivot        point outside the furniture parts.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure comprise one or more of thefollowing features:

-   -   a first furniture part comprises a frame with end supports, such        as panels and thereto supported a bed and a table part;    -   a second furniture part comprises a frame with end supports,        such as panels and thereto supported a bed and a table part;    -   pivoting means are attached to the end supports;    -   an openable table lock is arranged to secure the furniture parts        in the table position and when opened, allowing movement of the        furniture parts towards the bed position.

So, it has now been discovered that in order to achieve smooth movementof the furniture parts and the pivoting means one needs to arrange thepivot point or the point of rotation of the hinge structure at leastslightly outside the furniture parts. With this kind of a virtual pivotpoint arrangement no physical parts are needed at the pivot point, i.e.situated outside the furniture parts. Now, no part of the pivoting meansneeds to interfere with the floor or protrude up from the upper bed ortable surface. This can be achieved e.g. with a hinge structurecomprising two hinge arms on both ends of the furniture with fasteningpoints of the hinge arms located symmetrically on the furniture part.Hinges with virtual pivot points are known as such.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure the first and the secondfurniture parts comprise a frame with first and second end supports. Theat least one bed and/or at least one table part are supported on theframes. In another embodiment one of the furniture parts comprises noend supports. In an embodiment one of the furniture parts is a supportstructure without a table part or a bed, e.g. a plate or a panel that isarranged to be attached to e.g. a wall.

In an embodiment the first and the second furniture parts are arrangedto support a bed and a table part. This provides for a furniture withtwo beds. In an embodiment the two beds are arranged side by side in thebed position, i.e. the furniture provides fora double bed. In anembodiment

-   -   in the table position, the first and second table parts are        arranged horizontally, thereby forming a horizontal table        surface, and the beds are unusable; and    -   in the bed position, the beds are usable forming a double bed,        and the table parts are not usable.

Hereby is achieved a piece of furniture that can be changed between alarge table and a double bed.

In an embodiment the convertible furniture comprises a table lockarranged to secure the first and second furniture parts in the tableposition. The lock is adapted to be moved with an actuator between alocked position, securing the furniture parts in the table position andan open position, allowing movement of the furniture parts towards thebed position.

The inventiveness of this basic idea can be enhanced e.g. by adding toit one or more of the following technical ideas:

-   1) The table lock is used with an elongated actuator i.e. a shaft    operatively connected to the lock; the shaft is supported movable on    a furniture part, e.g. below a table part, and it may be adapted to    be moved only, or at least mainly, in the direction of the plane of    the table part. The shaft may extend from the lock at the middle of    the table and past the bed under the table part all the way close to    the outer edge of the table part. E.g. a sideways turnable    relatively long lever facilitates the use of the lock. The shaft may    be a lever turning around a pivot point. These features make the    opening and closing of the table lock easy and reliable.-   2) One or more wheels are attached to the end supports. The wheels    may be partly hidden, i.e. only a part of the wheel is visible, i.e.    the wheels protrude over an edge of the end support. The wheels ease    the movement of the furniture against a floor or other support    beneath it. Advantageously these wheels are situated in table    position at the lower outer corner of the end supports. More    advantageously the wheels are at the corners but protrude only over    vertical end support edges.-   3) The pivoting means between the furniture parts are constructed in    such a way that in bed position, no part or no moving part of the    pivoting means reaches over the upper edges of the end supports.    This makes the use of the furniture safe and comfortable.-   4) Movable extra supports to be engaged with the floor or other    support are arranged under a table part e.g. on to the end support.    When preparing to move the furniture into bed position, the support    is engaged with the end support edge that is meant against the floor    in bed position. Now, the support will engage the floor. The weight    of the furniture in bed position rests on possible wheels and at    least partly on the extra supports. There may be more of these extra    supports on different points of the furniture.-   5) One or more support plates may be attached to the end supports of    the furniture parts. Support plates are separate of the end    supports, made e.g. of metal or plastic. Each support plate may    support a wheel and the pivoting means. A support plate may be    attached at and along an edge of the end support. A support plate    may form an edge of the end support. In table position the support    plates may be situated at the mainly horizontal lower edges of the    end supports.

The listed technical ideas and many more embodiments are explained indetail below, also in reference to the drawings. All the ideas arecombinable with each other, also in ways not separately mentioned.

An embodiment of a typical convertible furniture according to thedisclosed embodiments comprises

-   -   a first furniture part comprising a first frame with a first and        a second end support and thereto supported a first bed and a        first table part;    -   a second furniture part comprising a second frame with a first        and a second end support and thereto supported a second bed and        a second table part;    -   pivoting means, such as hinges, rails or gas springs, between        the first furniture part and the second furniture part arranged        to guide their movement between at least        -   a table position, where the first and second table parts are            arranged horizontally, thereby forming a horizontal table            surface and the beds are unusable; and        -   a bed position, where the beds are usable, and the table            parts are not usable;    -   a table lock arranged to secure the first and second furniture        parts in the table position and adapted to be moved with an        actuator between        -   a locked position, securing the furniture parts in the table            position and        -   an open position, allowing movement of the furniture parts            towards the bed position.

In an embodiment the pivoting means between the furniture parts areconstructed in such a way that in bed position, every part or everymovable part of the pivoting means is arranged under the upper edges ofthe furniture parts e.g. the end supports. This makes the use of thefurniture safe and comfortable.

In an embodiment, in table position, every part or every movable part ofthe pivoting means is arranged over the lower edges of the furnitureparts e.g. the end supports. This makes the use of the furniture safeand comfortable and protects the floor or any support under thefurniture.

In an embodiment every part or every movable part of the pivoting meansis arranged both under the upper edges of the furniture parts e.g. theend supports and over the lower edges of the furniture parts e.g. theend supports during the whole movement between the bed and tablepositions. In an embodiment every part or every moving part of thepivoting means is arranged to stay between the edges of the end supportsduring the whole movement between the bed and table positions.

In an embodiment the method comprises

-   -   moving a first and a second furniture part between at least a        bed position and a table position, each furniture part        comprising two end supports and thereto supported a bed and a        table part;    -   guiding said moving with pivoting means between the first        furniture part and the second furniture part;    -   in bed position, keeping every part or every movable part of the        pivoting means under upper edges of the end supports; and/or    -   in table position, keeping every part or every moving part of        the pivoting means over lower edges of the end supports.

In an embodiment the pivoting means are turnably supported to the endsupports of the furniture parts. Turnably supported means that thepivoting means allows turning or moving of the furniture parts betweenthe table and bed positions. In an embodiment, e.g. in case of a hingearm or a gas spring, one end of the pivoting means is supported on anend support of one furniture part and the other end of the pivotingmeans is supported on an end support of a second furniture part. In anembodiment the pivoting means is attached at or near an edge of the endsupport. In an embodiment in table position the pivoting means isattached on or near the edge that is the mainly horizontal lower edge ofthe end support.

In an embodiment in table position, the hinge arms are arranged crossedwith each other, i.e. one arm is attached at an upper position in thefirst furniture part and at a lower position in the second furniturepart, whereas the other arm is attached at an upper position in thesecond furniture part and at a lower position in the first furniturepart. In an embodiment in bed position, the hinge arms are arrangedhorizontally, at the same level with each other, i.e. the fastening orpivot points of the two hinge arms are at same level.

The hinge structure is an important if not the main support structurebetween the two halves of the furniture when they are moved between thetable and bed positions. Strength and robustness of the hinge arms isimportant. They may be made e.g. of a metal such as steel, plastic orsome other suitable material.

All the pivoting means, such as the hinges or gas springs, as well asthe wheels need to be robust enough to support movement of the furnitureparts. Also, the supporting of these parts to the furniture parts needsto similarly robust. One good possibility is to arrange them supportedon one or more relatively large support plates, which are easy to attache.g. on the end supports of the furniture parts. The support plate maybe made of e.g. metal, such as steel or aluminium plate or any suitableplastic or composite material. Every piece of pivoting means, e.g.hinges or gas springs may have their own support plates on eachfurniture part. Also, each wheel may be supported on its own supportplate.

The support plate structure gives the furniture robust structure, highstrength, easy assembly and increased accuracy in its movements. In anembodiment each support plate supports a wheel and pivoting means.Attaching all pivoting means and wheels of one end support to one largesupport plate enhances the benefits.

In an embodiment the support plate is attached at and along an edge ofthe end support. This strengthens the edge and simplifies the structure.In an embodiment in table position the support plates are at the mainlyhorizontal lower edges of the end supports. This strengthens the loweredge and makes it easy to arrange wheels on the support plate. In anembodiment the support plates are of the same length and form as edgesof the end supports they are attached to. This further strengthens andsimplifies the structure.

In an embodiment one or more wheels are attached to the end supports. Inan embodiment the wheels are partly hidden in the end supports. Thewheels may be supported and arranged between the inner and outer facesof the end support. In an embodiment the wheels are situated so that inthe table position they are at the lower outer corner of the endsupports. In an embodiment in table position the wheels protrude onlyover vertical end support edges. In an embodiment in table position thewheels protrude over both vertical and horizontal end support edges. Inan embodiment the wheels are arranged as the point of contact betweenthe furniture and a floor or other support it is situated on, at anygiven stage of the movement between bed and table positions. The wheelsease the movement of the furniture against a floor or other supportbeneath it.

In an embodiment the wheels are attached to support plates which areattached to the end supports of the furniture parts. In an embodimentthe wheels are simple castors, i.e. rollers mounted to an axle pin. Oneend of the axle pin may be firmly attached, e.g. by welding, on thesupport plate.

An embodiment of a typical convertible furniture according to thedisclosed embodiments comprises

-   -   a first furniture part comprising a first frame with a first and        a second end support and thereto supported a first bed and a        first table part;    -   a second furniture part comprising a second frame with a first        and a second end support and thereto supported a second bed and        a second table part;    -   pivoting means, such as hinges, rails or gas springs, between        the first furniture part and the second furniture part arranged        to guide their movement between at least        -   a table position, where the first and second table parts are            arranged horizontally, thereby forming a horizontal table            surface and the beds are unusable; and        -   a bed position, where the beds are usable, and the table            parts are not usable;    -   a table lock arranged to secure the first and second furniture        parts in the table position and adapted to be moved with an        actuator between        -   a locked position, securing the furniture parts in the table            position and        -   an open position, allowing movement of the furniture parts            towards the bed position.

The actuator may be an elongated shaft connected to the table lock. Theshaft may be:

-   -   supported on the first or the second furniture part; and    -   adapted to be moved in the direction of the plane of the first        or second table part.

The table lock may be manually or automatically operable. In anembodiment, the lock is a is a simple latch. A latch can be opened andclosed with a simple movement, e.g. manually with a lever.

The first and second table parts are in their general form more or lessplanar. The plane of the first or second table part is the generalplane's direction. In table position that plane would normally be thedirection of the table surface, i.e. horizontal.

In an embodiment, in the table position:

-   -   the upper surfaces of the first and second table parts are        arranged substantially flush with each other, thereby forming        the horizontal table surface; and    -   the first and second beds are arranged mainly vertical and        unusable under the table parts; whereas        in the bed position:    -   the first and second beds are arranged horizontal and usable;        and    -   the first and second table parts are arranged as vertical sides        of the beds.

In an embodiment the table lock comprises a first and a second lockingmember situated on different furniture parts. The first and secondlocking members are adapted to be moved between

-   -   a locked position, where the locking members are interlocked        with each other, thereby securing the furniture parts in the        table position and    -   an open position, where the locking members are not interlocked        with each other, thereby allowing movement of the furniture        parts towards the bed position.

In an embodiment the elongated shaft is connected to the first or secondlocking member. This makes it easy to move one or more of the lockingmembers between the locked position and the open position, even with asmall gesture or movement a distance away from the actual lockingmechanism.

In an embodiment the table parts comprise at least mainly parallel firstand second edges. The first edges are in the table position against eachother at the middle of the table surface, and in bed position arrangedas upper edges of the sides of the beds. The second edges are in thetable position arranged as outer edges of the table surface, and in bedposition arranged as lower edges of the sides of the beds. In anembodiment the first and second locking members are situated at thefirst edges of the table parts. This way in the table position they areagainst each other at the middle of the table and in bed position theyare arranged on top edges of the sides of the beds.

In an embodiment the actuator is an elongated shaft connected to thetable lock and supported movably on the first or the second furniturepart. The elongated shaft may be supported on an inner surface of thefirst or second table parts, i.e. in table position on the lower surfaceof the table part. This way it stays mostly hidden during normal use ofthe furniture.

In an embodiment the shaft is arranged at least partly inside the firstor second table part. In an embodiment the shaft is arranged to extendthrough the first or second table part. In an embodiment the shaft isadapted to be moved in the direction of the plane of the first or secondtable part. These embodiments provide easy and reliable supporting forthe actuator shaft.

The elongated shaft may be movably arranged in a space between the tablepart and the bed of the furniture part. This makes it possible for auser to easily reach the shaft from outside the table.

In an embodiment a first end of the elongated shaft is connected to thefirst and/or second locking member. The shaft then extends from therepast the first or second bed and towards the second edge of the tablepart. There, when in table position, the second end of the elongatedshaft is arranged to be manually and easily engaged by a user situatedby the second edge.

The elongated shaft may be made of different materials and in differentsizes and forms. Metals, such as aluminium or steel, plastics, wood aresome examples of possible materials. The length of the shaft may varydepending on the situation, e.g. more than 20 cm, more than 30 cm, 20 to40 cm, 20 to 50 cm are possible. Suitable shaft length is decidedespecially by the width of the table part it is mounted on.

The elongated shaft is a way to transmit power to be used at the lockfrom near the outer edges of the table. The shaft may be formed as a rodor another kind of rigid component. It is also possible that the shaftcomprises an outer core or shell and a wire or another flexible shaft orbelt inside it for power transmission.

In an embodiment each table part is arranged perpendicularly to its endsupports. Each end support functions in table position as a verticalsupport against a floor and in bed position as a vertical bed end. Ifthe table part and end supports are fixed together firmly, simply andimmovably relative to each other, the frame becomes robust and easy toarrange to withstand the movements of the furniture.

Some possible dimensions for the furniture are as follows. In tableposition:

-   -   Table part length 160-220 cm (in bed direction, i.e. direction        between end supports)    -   Table part width 30-60 cm (in direction between its first and        second edge)    -   Table height 60-100 cm;        In bed position:    -   Bed length 160-220 cm (in bed direction)    -   Bed width 120-200 cm (double bed)    -   Bed height 30-60 cm.

Some possible materials for the different plate-like parts or panels inthe furniture, such as table parts and end supports, are wood, plastic,honeycomb panels or other cellular panels. Panel surfaces may be coated,e.g. with thin wood or plastic layer.

In an embodiment the furniture comprises two at least almost similarfurniture parts. The furniture parts maybe near mirror images. Thefurniture parts each comprise a frame, which comprises two end supports,such as generally planar vertical panels and a generally planar tablepart, forming half of the whole table surface supported between the endsupports. A bed is supported on the frame, possibly immovably. The twoframes are attached to each other pivotably, to be turned around aturning axle, defined e.g. by hinges. The turning axle of the pivotingmovement is horizontally at the bottom of the furniture, near or at itscentre line. The frames can be turned against each other in the tableposition where the table parts are horizontally on the top, supported byvertical end supports and the bed is vertically under the table part.From there the both frames can be turned 90 degrees, into the bedposition. In bed position the two frames, i.e. the end supports and thetable parts form vertical sides for the now horizontal beds. There is noneed to have a fourth side for the bed in a frame, because in bedposition the two frames lie side by side, forming a double bed withpanels around it, but without a panel between the two beds.

One way to define the inventive conversion movement of the furniturebetween the table and bed positions is to define what happens to theedges of the mainly planar end supports in the two furniture positions.Each end support comprises an outer and inner larger surface parallel toeach other and vertical during normal use of the furniture. The outerand inner surfaces are connected by edges, as follows:

-   -   a first end support edge, which is arranged        -   in table position mainly vertical and situated towards the            other frame;        -   in bed position as a mainly horizontal upper edge of the bed            end;    -   a second end support edge, which is arranged        -   in table position mainly vertical and situated away from the            other frame;        -   in bed position as a mainly horizontal lower edge of the bed            end;    -   a third end support edge, which is arranged        -   in table position as a mainly horizontal lower edge of the            vertical support against a floor;        -   in bed position mainly vertical and situated towards the            other frame;    -   a fourth end support edge, which is arranged        -   in table position as a mainly horizontal upper edge of the            vertical support, supporting the table part on top of it;        -   in bed position as mainly vertical and situated away from            the other frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The disclosed embodiments are described in more detail below withreference to the enclosed schematic drawing, in which

FIG. 1 shows a convertible furniture according to the disclosedembodiments in table position in a side view from above the furniture,

FIG. 2 shows the furniture of FIG. 1 during movement between the tableand bed positions,

FIG. 3 shows the furniture of FIG. 1 in bed position,

FIG. 4 shows the furniture of FIG. 1 in table position in a perspectiveview from above the furniture,

FIG. 5 shows the furniture of FIG. 1 in bed position in a perspectiveview from above the furniture,

FIG. 6 shows the locking mechanism of a furniture according to thedisclosed embodiments in table position in a partly cut view from abovethe furniture, the locking mechanism in open position,

FIG. 7 shows the locking mechanism of FIG. 6 in locked position,

FIG. 8 shows an outer top corner of a furniture according to thedisclosed embodiments in table position, in a perspective view frombelow, with an extra support not engaged,

FIG. 9 shows the top corner of FIG. 8 with the extra support engaged,

FIG. 10 shows support plates of one furniture end in table position,

FIG. 11 shows the support plates of FIG. 10 in bed position, and

FIG. 12 shows a lower part of an end support with a wheel in bedposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES OF THE FIGURES

For the sake of clarity, in different embodiments same referencenumerals are used for parts corresponding to each other. For the sake ofclarity, every part and feature has not been numbered in every Figure.

A convertible furniture 1 comprises a first and a second furniture part2 a and 2 b. Each of these comprises a frame 11 a, 11 b and theretosupported a bed 3 a, 3 b and a table part 4 a, 4 b. The depictedfurniture parts 2 a and 2 b are almost mirror images of each other. Insome embodiments there might be bigger differences between the furnitureparts.

Pivoting means, i.e. hinges 5 a and gas springs 5 b are arranged betweenthe first and second furniture parts 2 a and 2 b. They guide and assistthe movement of the furniture parts between a table position and a bedposition. The pivoting means 5 a and 5 b are attached to the first andsecond end supports, i.e. end panels 12 a, 12 b of the first and secondfurniture part.

In the table position, shown e.g. in FIGS. 1 and 4, the frames arestanding on their side panels and arranged against each other. The sidepanels of the frames now on the top are the table parts 4 a and 4 b.They are now horizontally arranged and substantially flush with eachother, forming a horizontal table surface 4 at the top of the furniture.At the same time, the beds 3 a and 3 b are arranged sideways inside theframes. In other words, the beds are in a vertical position under thetable parts, and therefore unusable.

When moving from the table position to the bed position, the tops of thefurniture parts 2 a and 2 b are turned away from each other, see FIG. 2.The table surface 4 opens at its centre line between the two table parts4 a and 4 b. As the frames are turned more and more towards thehorizontal, the beds become more and more visible. Finally, as showne.g. in FIGS. 3 and 5, the furniture is in bed position. This means thatthe frames 11 a and 11 b and in them the beds 3 a and 3 b are in ahorizontal position. Beds are usable. At the same time, the table parts4 a and 4 b have become side panels for the beds. This means that theyare not usable.

The table parts 4 a, 4 b comprise first edges 7 a, 7 b and second edges8 a, 8 b parallel to each other, on the opposite sides of the tableparts. The first edges 7 a, 7 b are in the table position against eachother at the middle of the table surface 4. In bed position the firstedges are arranged as upper edges of the sides of the beds. The secondedges 8 a, 8 b are in the table position arranged as outer edges of thetable surface 4, and in bed position they are arranged as lower edges ofthe sides of the beds.

Each frame 11 a, 11 b comprises a first and a second end panel 12 a, 12b. Each table part 4 a, 4 b is arranged perpendicularly between its endpanels, whereby each end panel 12 a, 12 b functions in table position asa vertical support against a floor and in bed position as a vertical bedend. In the depicted embodiment, each end panel 12 a, 12 b comprisesfour edges. A first end panel edge 131 is in table position mainlyvertical and situated towards the other frame. In bed position the firstend panel edge 131 is a mainly horizontal upper edge of the bed end. Asecond end panel edge 132 is in table position mainly vertical andsituated facing away from the other frame. In bed position second endpanel edge 132 is a mainly horizontal lower edge of the bed end. A thirdend panel edge 133 is in table position a mainly horizontal lower edgeof the vertical support against a floor. In bed position third end paneledge 133 is mainly vertical and situated towards the other frame. Afourth end panel edge 134 is in table position a mainly horizontal upperedge of the vertical support, supporting the table part 4 a or 4 b ontop of it. In bed position the fourth end panel edge 134 is mainlyvertical and situated away from the other frame. In this example thefirst and second panel edges are substantially parallel to each other.Similarly, the third and fourth panel edges are substantially parallelto each other, but perpendicular against the first and second. Thismeans that in the depicted embodiment the end panels 12 a,12 b areformed as a substantial rectangle, with rounded corners. This needs notto be the case; the furniture can be designed in many forms.

To keep the furniture parts 2 a, 2 b safely in the table position, aneasily operated table lock 6 is arranged between the frames 11 a, 11 b.In a locked position, the table lock secures the furniture partstogether. In an open position the table lock allows the movement of thefurniture parts 2 a, 2 b towards the bed position. The table lock 6,seen e.g. in FIGS. 6 and 7, comprises a first locking member 6 a on thefirst table part 4 a and a second locking member 6 b on the second tablepart 4 b. The locking members 6 a, 6 b are situated at or near the firstedges 7 a, 7 b of the table parts so that in the table position they areagainst or very near to each other at the middle of the table. In bedposition the locking members are arranged on top edges of the sides ofthe beds.

In the depicted embodiments the table lock is a simple latch, with asteel arc 6 a, i.e. an arc-shaped steel form, as the first lockingmember and a pin 6 b as the second locking member. The steel arc 6 a canbe turned in the direction of the plane of the first table part 4 a itis arranged on. When the two table parts 4 a and 4 b are in contact witheach other, the steel arc 6 a may be turned to reach around and behindthe pin 6 b, thereby interlocking the steel arc 6 a and the pin 6 b witheach other. This means the table lock 6 is in locking position and thefurniture parts 2 a, 2 b are secured in the table position. When turningthe arc 6 a so, that the opening in the arc 6 a is towards the pin 6 bthe table lock 6 is in open position. Now the furniture parts 2 a, 2 bmay be turned away from each other.

To ease the functioning of the table lock 6, a lock actuator, i.e. anelongated shaft 6 c is connected at its first end 9 a to the steel arc 6a. The shaft 6 c is a lever adapted to be turned in the direction of theplane of the first table part 4 a. Turning the shaft 6 c moves the steelarc 6 a and thus the table lock 6 between the locked and open positions.That means that in table position the table lock is opened and securedby turning the shaft 6 c horizontally near and under the first tablepart 4 a. The shaft 6 c is supported on the inner surface 10 a of thefirst table part 4 a with a pivot point 13. The second end 9 b of theelongated shaft 6 c is arranged towards the second edge 8 a of the firsttable part 4 a. The shaft 6 c extends, from the table lock 6 past thebed 3 a, which is arranged under the table part 4 a, towards the secondedge 8 a of the table part. The second end 9 b of the shaft may comprisea handle, where it can be manually engaged by a user, simply by reachingher/his arm under the second edge 8 a of the table part. The shaft 6 cis adapted to move close to the inner surface 10 a. This way it isfreely movable in the small gap between the first table part 4 a and thefirst bed 3 a situated under the table part. A recess may be formed inthe side of the bed to make more space for the shaft to move. Onepossibility is to arrange the elongated shaft at least partly inside thetable part. This may be done e.g. by forming a suitable open recess onthe inner surface 10 a of the table part 4 a. The shaft 6 c may also besituated totally or almost totally inside the table part 4 a, so thatonly the second end of it, e.g. a handle is visible and ready to beengaged with a hand.

In order to ease movement of the furniture against a floor beneath itduring the conversion between the table position and the bed position,one or more partly hidden wheels 14 a and 14 b can be attached to theend panels 12 a, 12 b. The wheels may e.g. be arranged mostly or partlyinside the end panels 12 a, 12 b so that just a part of each wheel 14 a,14 b is protruding over an edge of the end panel. It may be advantageousto arrange the one or more wheels 14 a, 14 b at the corners which arethe outer and lower corners in the table position. That is, the cornerswhere the second and third end panel edges 132 and 133 meet. A wheel mayprotrude over only the vertical or both the vertical and horizontalpanel edges 132 and 133. In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the corners where suchwheels are positioned are shown with circles. In the depictedembodiments, the wheels 14 a, 14 b are arranged to protrude over thesecond and third end panel edges 132 and 133. The wheel may protrudee.g. under 2 mm, under 5 mm, under 20 mm, 2 to 5 mm, 2 to 10 mm, 5 to 10mm or 2 to 20 mm over the panel edges 132, 133. Extra supports or feetmay be arranged at the panel edge 133 so, that in the table positionwheels 14 a, 14 b are not engaged with the floor, but as soon as themovement towards the bed position starts, the wheels 14 a, 14 b start toengage the floor. This way they facilitate the conversion of thefurniture during practically the whole movement between the twopositions. The wheels 14 a, 14 b may be constructed in many ways. It ispossible to replace all or some wheels by some other movementfacilitating or friction decreasing means, such as plastic glides.

In FIGS. 8 and 9 is shown an outer top corner of the furniture 1 intable position. A turnable extra support 15 is arranged under the tablepart 4 a. In FIG. 8 it is hidden under the table part, against thecorner of end panel 12 and inner surface 10 a of the table part. In thedrawings the support 15 is fixed to the table part 4 a. When preparingto move the furniture into bed position, an outer end 15 b of thesupport 15 is turned around a vertical axis 15 a to be engaged with thesecond end panel edge 132. In the bed position the outer end 15 b of thesupport, situated on the panel edge 132, will engage the floor. On thatedge 132, the thickness of the outer end 15 b of the support may be thesame as the distance the wheels 14 a or 14 b protrude over the paneledge 132, that is, e.g. under 2 mm, under 5 mm, under 20 mm, 2 to 5 mm,2 to 10 mm, 5 to 10 mm or 2 to 20 mm. This way, the weight of thefurniture 1 in bed position rests on the wheelsl4 a, 14 b and on theextra support 15. There may be more of these extra supports 15 ondifferent points of the furniture. That would e.g. make it possible toremove all weight from the wheels 14 a, 14 b in bed position. Thesupport 15 may be manufactured e.g. from a suitable plastic. Also fixedfeet or other fixed supports may be arranged in panel edges so that theycontact the floor in table and bed positions. Feet or other supports maygive extra friction between the furniture and the floor in order toprevent the furniture from unwanted moving of the furniture.

Figures show embodiments with two elongated support plates 16 a and 16 bon each end of the furniture. First support plates 16 a are attached tothe end support plates 12 a and 12 b of the first furniture part 2 a.Second support plates 16 b are attached to the end supports 12 a and 12b of the second furniture part 2 b. Each support plate 16 a and 16 bsupports a wheel 14 a or 14 b, one end of the hinge arms 5 a and 5 a′and one end of the gas spring 5 b. The support plates 16 a, 16 b areattached to the end panels 12 a, 12 b with screws or bolts 17.

The support plates are attached at and along the third end panel edges133, on the inside face of the end supports 12 a, 12 b. Thus, in tableposition the support plates 16 a, 16 b are at the mainly horizontallower edge of the vertical support against a floor. And in bed positionthe support plates 16 a, 16 b are mainly vertical and situated towardsthe other frame, and against the support plate on the other frame. Thesupport plates 16 a, 16 b are of the same length and form as the paneledges 133 they are attached to. As a matter of fact, they can be thoughtto form part of the panel edges 133. FIG. 10 shows mere support plates16 a and 16 b with hinge arms 5 a, 5 a′, gas spring 5 b and wheels 14 a,14 b of one furniture end in a table position, and FIG. 11 shows thesame in a bed position.

FIG. 12 shows one example of a wheel 14 b arranged at a corner of secondand third end panel edges 132 and 133. The support plate 16 b isattached at and along the third end panel edge 133, on the inside faceof the end support 12 a. Inside face means the face facing the bed 3 aand the other end support 12 b. The support plate is aligned with andactually forms parts of both the inner face of end support 12 a and thepanel edge 133. The wheel 14 b is supported and arranged between theinner and outer faces of the end support 12 a.

The wheels 14 a, 14 b may be simple castors, i.e. pivoting rollersmounted to an axle pin 19 on the support plate. The design of thesupport plate16 a, 16 b, the diameter of the wheel 14 a, 14 b and theposition of the axle pin 19 can is chosen so that the wheels will be theoutermost point, i.e. the point of contact at any given stage of thetransition between bed and table positions.

One end of the axle pin 19 of the wheel is firmly attached, e.g. bywelding, on the support plate 16. The other end of the axle pin 19 maybe supported e.g. on the end panel 12 a, 12 b. However, the axle pin 19can be dimensioned thicker and of a sufficiently strong material so thatit would not bend even without a support on its other end.

The gas spring 5 b aids the transition between the table and bedpositions. When moving the furniture between the two positions, the usernormally needs most power when starting the movement from the bedposition toward the table position. Therefore, the gas springs 5 b maybe arranged so that they provide some or maximum force, i.e. aid for theuser when starting from bed position. The gas springs 5 b may providesome or minimum force, i.e. smaller aid for the user when starting fromtable position. This would help in avoiding unintentional opening fromthe table position.

For a smooth movement of the furniture parts, a pivot point P or thepoint of rotation of the hinge structure may by arranged slightlyoutside the end supports 12 a, 12 b of the furniture parts 2 a, 2 b. Anexample of an approximate position of the pivot point P is shown with anarrow in FIGS. 10 and 11. It would be problematic if the hinge structurewould need any physical parts at the pivot point P, i.e. situatedoutside the furniture parts. This kind of parts would interfere with thefloor or protrude up from the table surface. The hinge according to theFigures doesn't protrude outside the end supports 12 a, 12 b in table orbed position. Hinge structure between the furniture parts 2 a and 2 bcomprises two hinge arms 5 a and 5 a′ on both ends of the furniture. Thehinge is constructed as a double arm hinge with fastening points 18 ofthe hinge arms 5 a and 5 a′ located symmetrically on support plates 16 aand 16 b. In table position, see FIG. 11, the hinge arms 5 a, 5 a′ arearranged crossed with each other, i.e. arm 5 a is attached at an upperposition in the first support plate 16 a and at a lower position in thesecond support plate 16 b, whereas the arm 5 a′ is attached at an upperposition in the second support plate 16 b and at a lower position in thefirst support plate 16 a. In bed position, see FIG. 10, the hinge arms 5a and 5 a′ are arranged horizontally, at the same level with each other,i.e. the fastening or pivot points 18 of the two hinge arms are at samelevel with each other.

The shown hinge structure with two hinge arms 5 a and 5 a′ and fourhinge arm pivot points 18 ensures that turning motion is always thesame.

The hinge arms 5 a and 5 a′ are located on opposite sides of the plates16 a, 16 b to avoid collision with each other. The arms 5 a, 5 b may bemounted with bearings at their fastening points to avoid wear. If thesupport plate 16 a, 16 b is attached at an inner side face of the endsupport 12 a, 12 b, at least some of the movable pivoting means, e.g.one of the hinge arms, may need a cavity inside the end support 12 a, 12b, to provide space for its moving. Also the wheels 14 a, 14 b need acavity inside the end support 12 a, 12 b.

The hinge structure is an important if not the main support structurebetween the two halves of the furniture when they are moved between thetable and bed positions. Strength and robustness of the hinge arms 5 aand 5 a′ is therefore important. They may be made of a metal such assteel, plastic or some other suitable material.

Feet or other supports may be arranged in panel edges so that theycontact the floor in table and bed positions. These feet or othersupports may give extra friction between the furniture and the floor inorder to prevent the furniture from unwanted rolling.

The figures show only a few preferred embodiments according to thedisclosed embodiments. Facts of secondary importance with regards to themain idea of the disclosed embodiments, facts known as such or evidentfor a person skilled in the art, such as support structures possiblyrequired by the disclosed embodiments, are not necessarily separatelyshown in the figures. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art thatthe disclosed embodiments is not limited exclusively to the examplesdescribed above, but that the disclosed embodiments can vary within thescope of the claims presented below. The dependent claims are not to beconsidered to restrict the scope of protection of the disclosedembodiments as such.

1. A convertible furniture, comprising at least a first and a secondfurniture part and thereto supported at least one bed (3 a, 3 b) and atleast one table part; pivoting means comprising a hinge structurebetween the at least two furniture parts arranged to guide theirmovement between at least a table position, where at least one tablepart is arranged horizontally, thereby forming a horizontal tablesurface, and the at least one bed is unusable; and a bed position, wherethe at least one bed is usable, and the at least one table part isunusable, wherein pivot point (P) of the hinge structure is arranged asa virtual pivot point outside the furniture parts.
 2. A convertiblefurniture according to claim 1, wherein the first furniture partcomprises a first frame with a first and a second end support andthereto supported the at least one bed and/or at least one table part;the second furniture part comprises a second frame with a first and asecond end support and thereto supported the at least one bed and/or atleast one table part.
 3. A convertible furniture according to claim 1,wherein the first furniture part is arranged to support a first bed anda first table part and the second furniture part is arranged to supporta second bed and a second table part.
 4. A convertible furnitureaccording to claim 3, wherein in the table position, the first andsecond table parts are arranged horizontally, thereby forming ahorizontal table surface, and the beds are unusable; and in the bedposition, the beds are usable forming a double bed, and the table partsare not usable.
 5. A convertible furniture according claim 1, whereinthe convertible furniture comprises a table lock arranged to secure thefirst and second furniture parts in the table position and adapted to bemoved with an actuator between a locked position, securing the furnitureparts in the table position and an open position, allowing movement ofthe furniture parts towards the bed position.
 6. A convertible furnitureaccording to claim 1, wherein in the bed position, every part or everymoving part of the pivoting means is arranged under upper edges of thefurniture parts and/or in table position, every part or every movingpart of the pivoting means is arranged over lower edges of the furnitureparts.
 7. A convertible furniture according to claim 2, wherein in thebed position, every part or every moving part of the pivoting means isarranged under upper edges of the end supports and/or in table position,every part or every moving part of the pivoting means is arranged overlower edges of the end supports.
 8. A convertible furniture according toclaim 2, wherein the pivoting means are turnably supported to the endsupports of the furniture parts.
 9. A convertible furniture according toclaim 8, wherein the pivoting means are attached on or near the edges ofthe end supports that are the mainly horizontal lower edges of the endsupports in the table position.
 10. A convertible furniture according toclaim 1, wherein the pivoting means comprises two hinge arms, each armattached turnably on the first and the second furniture part, wherebyfastening points of the hinge arms are located symmetrically on thefurniture parts. 11-26. (canceled)
 27. A convertible furniture accordingclaim 8, wherein the pivoting means are attached to support plates whichare attached to the end supports of the furniture parts.
 28. Aconvertible furniture according claim 27, wherein the support plate isattached at and along an edge of the end support.
 29. A convertiblefurniture according to claim 3, wherein in the table position: the uppersurfaces of the first and second table parts are arranged substantiallyflush with each other, thereby forming the horizontal table surface; andthe first and second beds are arranged mainly vertical and unusableunder the table parts; whereas in the bed position: the first and secondbeds are arranged horizontal and usable; and the first and second tableparts are arranged as vertical sides of the beds.
 30. A convertiblefurniture according to claim 3, wherein each table part is arrangedperpendicularly to its end supports , whereby each end support functionsin table position as a vertical support against a floor for the tablepart and in bed position as a vertical bed end.
 31. A convertiblefurniture according to claim 2, wherein one or more partly hidden wheelsattached to the end supports, a part of the wheels protruding over oneor two edges of the end support in order to ease movement of thefurniture against a floor beneath it.
 32. A convertible furnitureaccording to claim 5, wherein the actuator is an elongated shaftconnected to the table lock, which shaft is supported on the first orthe second furniture part.
 33. A convertible furniture according toclaim 32, wherein the shaft is supported movably below a table part of afurniture part.
 34. A convertible furniture according to claim 32,wherein a first end of the elongated shaft is connected to the tablelock and the shaft is arranged to extend from there past the first orsecond bed and towards the second edge of the table part, whereby intable position the second end of the elongated shaft is arranged to bemanually engaged by a user situated by the second edge.
 35. A methodwith a convertible furniture according to claim 1, the method comprisingmoving a first and a second furniture part between at least a bedposition and a table position, and supported to the furniture parts atleast one bed and at least one table part; guiding said moving withpivoting means comprising a hinge structure between the first furniturepart and the second furniture part; wherein arranging pivot point of thehinge structure as a virtual pivot point outside the furniture parts.36. A method according to claim 35, wherein the first furniture partcomprises a first frame with a first and a second end support andthereto supported a first bed and a first table part; the secondfurniture part comprises a second frame with a first and a second endsupport and thereto supported a second bed and a second table part,whereby the method comprises in bed position, keeping every part orevery movable part of the pivoting means under upper edges of the endsupports; and/or in table position, keeping every part or every movingpart of the pivoting means over lower edges of the end supports.